It’s a priority for us to learn from consumers and be an insights-led organization,” says Jean Vernor, Charlotte, N.C.-based senior vice president at insurancegiant MetLife. “By engaging closely withconsumers through performance-basedmarketing, which is a mid- to lower-fun-nel activity, it enables us to learn fromconsumers at the phases closest to acqui-sition and continue to test and learn tobest meet their needs.”Set to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2018,MetLife — and its affiliates and subsidiaries —serve nearly 100 million customers around theworld with an array of life insurance, annuities,employee benefits, and asset management offer-ings. Ranking No. 40 on the 2016 Fortune 500, thecompany calls more than 90 of the Fortune 100companies clients and has operations in nearly 50countries around the world.

Vernor joined the company three years ago,bringing a wide range of business leadership experi-ence to the company’s U.S. direct-to-consumerorganization. From membership and insurance of-ferings to credit card brands and clothing, Vernor’seclectic background lends itself to MetLife’s evolv-ing business strategy. Plus, Vernor says, working atMetLife provides her an opportunity that’s impor-tant to her on a personal level.

“One reason why I joined MetLife is that Ibelieve we have an opportunity to help the largenumber of uninsured or underinsured people in ourcountry,” she says. “For many, a death, accident,or other unexpected event is not only personallydevastating but also can create financial instability.I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a team today thatfeels passionately about helping consumers acquirethe protection resources they need so they’re pre-That focus helps Vernor align the direct-to-con-sumer team’s goals with their prospective custom-ers — from both strategic and tactical perspectives.From the overall focus of MetLife’s direct-to-con-sumer message to its most recent campaigns, Ver-nor’s team partners with the MetLife global brandand marketing team to speak with a singular voicedesigned to meet consumers wherever they may be.

A Culture to Meet the Consumer

Before joining MetLife in 2014, Vernor spent
time in “P&L leadership roles focused on significant transformation across diverse industries.” She
adds, “I also have a deep background in consumer
services marketing — both direct-to-consumer and
B-to-B-to-C. I’m attracted to complex, transformational growth opportunities. These past experiences
shaped my passion for being an ‘intrapreneur,’ or
start-up business leader within large companies.”